It’s taken some thought – to get started on today’s study; I’ve been thinking about those discussions I’ve had with people, about, ‘what it is – to worship God.’
I remember one person saying that the whole church service was a form of worship. Others, have specifically mentioned the singing of ‘worship songs’, which leaves me with a feeling that I would get a range of answers to the question: ‘What is worship?’
Perhaps the quote that Selwyn uses (A.W. Tozer), is worth considering: ‘He pointed out that although there was much evidence of praise in the Church, he saw little sign of true worship. ‘Praise,’ he said, ‘is thanking God for what He does; worship is adoring God for who He is.’
As Selwyn states in the last part of today’s study: ‘To worship God is to give Him the glory that is due to Him.”
Maybe, there is a problem with how we perceive God? Could it be that we have raised ourselves up in status over the last few years with the advances in science and medicine; and, in the same time reduced God’s role and status in creation, and even our salvation? Has there been some loss of the wonder and awe of God, in some churches? Has there been a greater focus on doing God’s work in social justice areas to such an extent that some have taken their eyes off Jesus?
To experience God’s love through Jesus leaves us with a heart that constantly sings the same song as we hear in Revelation 4:8b-11 (NIV): ” … Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
You exist, by God’s will alone – you are redeemed and saved through Jesus, by God’s will alone. The awe and wonder of the last sentence can only be fully realised during our worship of the one, true God. Do you agree?